April 2010

So You Think You Are Lonely


Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and taken to a foreign land where he knew no one. There he was unjustly arrested and put into prison. (Genesis 37-39)

Job’s children were all killed. His wife berated him. His friends thought he should lay down and die. (Job 1-8)

Mary was young and unmarried when it was discovered that she was pregnant. There were no friends to rejoice with her. No showers or celebrations and she could be locked away. (Luke 1:26, 2:7)

Jesus abandoned by his closest friends. Beaten and made fun of. (Matthew 26:36-56)

Moses was driven away from home. Away from both mothers who loved him. Away from all of his friends and family.

Everyone suffers from loneliness. It’s part of being human. It is an awful feeling of being misunderstood , unwanted, unloved, deserted, unlovely, Invisible, awkward…lonely.

Just like in the stories in the Bible, these people were not alone. God was with them. Just as he promises us that he will, “never leave you or forsake you”. He never finds anyone that he likes better and never runs out of time.

Next time you are feeling lonely take some time for devotions. Read some scripture, spend some time in prayer and praise. Refresh and renew your communion with God and see how comforted and unalone you are.